Basel 2-0 Stuttgart: Shaqiri Seals Europa League Upset After Hitz Denies Demirović

A lengthy VAR delay before a saved penalty typified Stuttgart's loss of composure in front of goal.

Overview

Albian Ajeti opened the scoring inside three minutes after a Stuttgart turnover and a loose backpass allowed him to finish under Alexander Nübel.
Ermedin Demirović saw his 33rd-minute penalty saved by Marwin Hitz following an extended VAR check that left the taker waiting on the spot.
Stuttgart dominated after the break and registered 29 attempts, yet Hitz delivered multiple crucial saves to keep Basel in front.
Xherdan Shaqiri added an 84th-minute goal with a looping effort to clinch the result at St. Jakob-Park and halt Stuttgart’s four-match winning run.
Demirović later told RTL the delay broke his concentration, while analysis pointed to absences and recent squad turnover as limiting VfB’s attacking cohesion.